Complications

Dear Diary,

It was three days past my due date and the baby obviously wasn’t ready to come out. I was feeling really tired and I could barely move around.

Oladunni was so excited about the fact that she was getting a little brother. TK had come to join us a week before my due date.  A few days ago I heard her asking TK if her little brother would be joining them on their ‘dates’ when he was born. TK had asked if she would like him to join them on their dates to which Oladunni had replied “No! It’s just you and me”! It was amazing that she was barely five years old but she was already so protective of the man in her life. I wonder where she got it from…definitely not me!

The baby was a breech baby and we had agreed with the doctor that I would have a caesarean section if natural birth proved too difficult, with my father and Afolabi in India preparing for his transplant, I was eager to go back to Lagos as soon as possible so I could be there when they returned. Losing either of them wasn’t an option, I needed my family intact.

TK was also eager to go back home. Despite my intervention at the Duchess’s request, TK’s father was adamant that his marriage to the Duchess was over and he wanted to live out the rest of his life a happy man. Whether his happiness revolved around life with his mistress remained as much of a mystery as the mistress herself.

That cold night in New York, I was sitting by the fireplace sipping hot cocoa while TK massaged my swollen feet.

TK: So when you get back to Lagos, you are resuming at Octave right?

Me: Why do I have to resume there, I thought you made me a Non-Executive Director.

TK: On second thoughts, I would like to make you an Executive Director so we can build it together for our children to take over one day. I smiled.

Me: I know I have complained in time past about wanting an active career but I am not sure I want one in your company TK.

TK: So you want to start your own business or get a job or is being my wife now enough for you?

I laughed out loud.

Me: I like being your wife just fine and it’s more than enough for me.

TK: Are you sure Anjola? I just want you to be the happiest woman in the world.

Me: You make me the happiest woman in the world and as soon as I figure out exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life, I will let you know but for now can you just ask your son to please come out so I can stop waddling like a duck.

TK: Your waddle is really cute. I like it.

I hit him playfully.

Me: I can’t believe how happy I am with you. I didn’t ever think we would get here.

TK: Remember the night we met in Ope’s house when you were wearing that ridiculously obscene dress.

Me: There was nothing obscene about that dress TK! You were just a randy man!

TK: There was just something about you that night, I knew you would be in my life forever and I told you so but you did not believe me. Yet here you are, fat and round with my child…again!

Me: It’s not your fault I’m too heavy to deal with you. So what’s your favourite memory of us?

TK: Hmmm that’s a tough one. I have too many but I remember the day you came to my office for the job interview; I was expecting you because Ope had personally sent me your CV but you had no idea who I was. The look on your face that day was priceless. Then our first kiss the night my mother slapped you in the office and you left without telling me. I came over to tell you off and fire you and you were standing in the doorway in your underwear looking so amazingly beautiful I couldn’t resist you. There is also the first day we made love in your tiny flat…and the day we had Oladunni. I fell in love with you all over again. I could go on and on because every day with you has been a favourite memory.
I had tears in my eyes, I tried to lean over and kiss him but my tummy was in the way so he leaned over and kissed me instead.

TK: So what is your favourite memory of me?

Me: TK I was so incredibly attracted to you, you can’t even imagine how much. Working as your PA was torture I was constantly imagining what it would be like to be yours. I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Oladunni and when I told you, you told me whatever I wanted you were on board. My heart broke into a million pieces. I just wanted you to tell me you loved me but you didn’t, so my favourite memory has to be on our first anniversary when for the first time ever you told me you loved me. My second favourite memory was the day you asked me to come home after our separation. For the first time that day, you told me how you really felt about me and I have never forgotten all you said to me that day.

TK: I was such a fool to ever consider letting you go. I had been in all sorts of relationships I just couldn’t afford to let my guards down again. You were breaking down my defenses and I was constantly trying to prove to you that I was not vulnerable but eventually you broke me down and left me helplessly in love with you. Me: Yes o! I’m bad like that!

He pulled my nose and we both laughed.

TK: So least favourite memory.

Me: Nah let’s not go there.

TK: For better or worse, life happens. What’s your least favourite memory of me and you?

Me: The day I got served divorce papers. I never thought there would be anything that could break us. It was such a shock to me; I think my heart stopped beating for a while. It felt like my life was over.

TK: I never could have gone through with it Anjie. You are my world.

Me: There is something I have been meaning to ask you. TK: I know what it is and I plead the fifth.

Me: TK you cannot plead the fifth. That’s an American thing!

TK: We are in America aren’t we?

We both laughed

Me: So did you?

TK: Did I what?

Me: You know what I want to ask you.

TK: Did I sleep with another woman while we were separated is that your question?
I nodded and held my breath. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the answer.

TK: This is my answer…I missed you every day we were apart and it made me realize how much I love you and I am here forever and a day baby. I knew better than to pursue a concrete answer so I smiled and let it go. We eventually fell asleep until a sharp pain woke me up.

Me: TK, I think I just felt a contraction.

TK: Are you sure? How far apart are they?

A few minutes later another contraction came.

Me: Dr TK please just take me to the hospital abeg.

As he tried to help me up I felt warm liquid trickling down my legs…my water had broken.

TK ran up the stairs to get my hospital bag and as we headed out to the car, I realized we did not have Oladunni.

Me: TK go and get Oladunni

It was just us three at home, the Nigerian lady we had hired to help with Oladunni and the baby when he arrived had gone home hours ago. I had made my way to the car by the time TK arrived with a crying Oladunni.

We made it to the hospital in a short time and it was straight to the delivery room because the contractions had become more frequent. A couple of hours later the baby still hadn’t arrived. TK was in the delivery room right beside me.

Doctor: Mr. Kessington I am afraid your wife might not be able to have the baby naturally. We have tried but the baby is still breeched and they are both getting really tired.

TK: Do whatever you have to please.

I was so tired and thirsty.

I reached out to TK, I wanted to ask for water but I couldn’t get out the words.

TK: Baby what is it? Talk to me…what do you want?

I wanted to ask for water but I couldn’t muster the energy, I watched TK slowly start becoming a blurred figure in front of me then I heard a voice. Nurse: Doctor we need to get her into an OR right now!

Why were they taking me to an operating room…that was the last thought that crossed my mind before it all went black.